Gayle King rose to fame as a co-anchor on CBS Mornings and was married to ex-husband, William Bumpus. for 11 years, between the 1980s and 1990s — and they share two children together from the union. Although Gayle typically keeps her personal life private, she opened up about William and the demise of their relationship in a May 2026 “Call Her Daddy” interview.
For those unaware of Gayle’s ex-husband’s infidelity, the news anchor discovered that he’d cheated on her with one of her friends. Gayle recounted the moment she found out about the affair and remembered that she came home early, only to discover William in a towel and her unnamed female friend trying to hide from her.
Here’s what to know about Gayle’s marriage to William.
They married in 1982
Gayle and William, an attorney, married back in 1982. Tellingly, Oprah once shared why she didn’t think the marriage would ultimately last. “It didn’t feel joyful,” the TV mogul said in a 2006 interview with her O, The Oprah Magazine. “You know how you go to weddings and they’re full of joy? There are some weddings you go to and you’re just filled with all this hope for the couple. And you feel that there’s something special going on. I didn’t feel that at yours. It just felt kind of pitiful.”
Oprah didn’t want to tell her how she felt about it at the time. In the joint interview, Gayle told her she “wouldn’t have believed” her anyway.
Gayle & William welcomed two children
During the course of the marriage, Gayle and William welcomed children into their family — daughter Kirby, born in May 1986, and son William Bumpus Jr., born in April 1987. Both are now grown, and Kirby made the former couple grandparents when she welcomed son, Luca with her husband Virgil Miller in September 2021.
Gayle & William dealt with infidelity
In August of 2016, Gayle opened up during a Vanity Fair interview about alleged infidelity that eroded the marriage. When asked to name the person she “despises” most, she replied, ” ‘Despise’ is a strong word. I’m not a huge fan of the woman I caught naked with my now ex-husband on June 24, 1990, at 9:16 P.M. – but I don’t remember the details,” she quipped.
In 2006, she again shared her thoughts on the alleged incident, this time with Will Smith during his appearance on her XM Satellite radio show. “I was married to a cheater,” she reportedly said at the time. “I went to marital counseling. I have been divorced since 1993, so I’m all healed and everything. I have worked it out. I’m not bitter. I’m OK. I’m really OK.”
William, for his part, has apologized. In 2016, on the heels of her VF comments, he released a statement addressing the matter. “I have been haunted with this life-altering choice,” the statement to Entertainment Tonight read. “Though I have dealt with this privately, I publicly apologize for the major transgression that dramatically changed all of our lives. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Gayle and how she handled herself with grace. Despite the situation, she kept our children, as well as my relationship and involvement with them, as a clear priority.
He also went on to praise his ex. “Gayle was a great wife, an excellent mother and a fantastic co-parent,” the statement continued. “I am eternally grateful for all that she has done and continues to do to enrich my life and the lives of our incredible adult children. I continue to be a work in progress and have spent the last 26 years striving to be a better man and father. I applaud Gayle’s continued phenomenal success and friendship!”
Gayle and William divorced in 1993.
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